Casting guide

Casting Call Template: What to Include and What to Leave Out

July 14, 20265 min read

A casting call is a piece of functional writing. Its job is to attract the right candidates, give them enough information to decide whether to apply, and filter out people who are clearly unsuitable. A good template handles all three.

This guide covers every section a casting call needs, what to write in each, and the mistakes that consistently trip up small production teams. At the end you will find a copy-usable structure you can fill in for your next project.

Every effective casting call is built from the same handful of blocks — cover them all and candidates can self-select before they apply.

What a Casting Call Must Include

Think of a casting call as a job posting for a very short-term, often non-traditional role. It needs to answer the same core questions any job posting answers: what is the work, who are you looking for, what are the terms, and how do I apply.

1. Project Description

Briefly describe the project. Candidates want to understand what they are applying for before they invest time in an application.

Include: what type of project it is (commercial, editorial, branded content, music video, documentary), what the subject matter or product is if it can be disclosed, and the tone or aesthetic if that is relevant to who you are casting.

Type of production
Brand or subject (if disclosable)
Creative tone (e.g. naturalistic, high-fashion, documentary-style)

2. Role Details

Be specific about each role you are casting. If you have multiple roles, list them separately. Vague role descriptions create work for you — you will receive applications from people who do not fit because they did not have enough information to disqualify themselves.

Role name or brief description
Number of people needed for this role
Screen time or involvement (lead, supporting, background)
Any on-camera performance requirements (speaking, physical action, reaction shots)

3. Requirements

State the hard requirements clearly and only include requirements you can actually justify. Age range, language skills, specific physical abilities (for a sports production, for example), or professional background are legitimate when they are genuinely necessary for the role.

Avoid listing requirements that are not actually required. It narrows your applicant pool unnecessarily and, for some categories, raises legal and ethical questions under EU anti-discrimination law.

Age range (if applicable and justified)
Languages required
Specific skills or experience (e.g. horse riding, swimming, fluent Finnish)
Professional status (professional model/actor required, or open to non-professionals)

4. Dates, Location, and Time Commitment

Candidates need to know whether they can make it before they apply. Do not make them guess. If dates are not yet confirmed, say so and give an approximate window.

If travel is involved, state whether it is covered. If the shoot is in a specific city, name it.

Shoot date(s) or date range
City and general location
Expected call time or duration if known
Whether a callback or test shoot is required before the shoot date

5. Compensation

State the compensation. This is the section production teams most often leave vague, usually because the fee has not been confirmed or because there is an assumption that candidates will enquire. Neither is a good reason to omit it.

Candidates make decisions about whether to apply partly based on the fee. Leaving it out wastes your time and theirs. If the fee is genuinely not confirmed, say 'fee to be discussed' rather than saying nothing.

Fee amount or range
Usage rights (where and for how long the images or footage will be used)
Whether expenses are covered
Any in-kind compensation (product, credit, usage copies)

6. How to Apply

Give candidates a single, clear instruction for how to apply. A link to an application form is better than an email address for every reason covered in the organizing guide: it standardizes submissions, keeps everything in one place, and removes inbox clutter.

State the application deadline. Without a deadline, candidates delay and you end up chasing people at inconvenient times.

Application method (link to form, or email address)
What to include in the application (portfolio, photos, reel link, measurements if relevant)
Deadline for applications

7. Data and Privacy Note

In the EU, candidates submitting personal information are entitled to know how it will be used. A one- or two-sentence note at the end of the casting call covers this.

Example: 'Applications and personal data submitted in response to this casting call will be used only for the purpose of candidate selection and will be deleted within 60 days of the shoot date. Data will not be shared with third parties outside the production team.'